VA - The Modern Records Story [2001]

 

MODERN RECORDS

VA - The Modern Records Story [2001]

Prior to the rise of major labels, independent companies such as Atlantic, Specialty, Vee Jay, Sun, and Modern paved the way for the new youth-oriented mass market. These companies recorded in unconventional spaces like living rooms and store fronts, resulting in a perfectly imperfect sound that remains transcendent to this day. The Bihari Brothers and their contemporaries likely didn't care whether their discs were called R&B or rock and roll, as long as they made some noise without heavy distribution. This outstanding compilation primarily covers the years 1947 to 1956 and features true pioneers like Ike Turner (pre-Tina and with Tina), Pee Wee Crayton (with the fast-paced "Texas Hop," a sound from 1948 that Charles Edward Berry surely appreciated before 1955), Young Jesse (with a non-charting classic called "Mary Lou"), a few from Elmore James, and many others. The liner notes are exceptionally well-done, and the pressing is headphone-friendly. It's worth noting that a Little Richard track from 1965 or 1966, such as "Do You Feel It? (The Second Line)" which spent some time on the Cashbox Black Singles chart, would have fit in nicely. Hopefully, a "Part Two" is in the works to include this track and several other significant recordings from this label. (B)

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Track list

01 Ike & Tina Turner - I Can't Believe What You Say 2:02

02 Lowell Fulson - Tramp 3:05

03 Elmore James - Dust My Blues 3:11

04 Johnny Guitar Watson - Three Hours Past Midnight 3:24

05 Jesse Belvin & Group - Goodnight My Love 3:07

06 Jessie Young - Mary Lou 3:04

07 Ike Turner - Cubano Jump 2:18

08 Cadets - Stranded In The Jungle 3:06

09 Jacks - Why Don't You Write Me 2:49

10 Howling Wolf - My Baby Stole Off 3:00

11 Marvin & Johnny - Cherry Pie 2:46

12 Rosco Gordon - No More Doggin' 3:10

13 Shirley Gunter & The Queens - Oop Shoop 2:15

14 Lightnin' Hopkins - Jake Head Boogie 2:54

15 Junior Thompson - Mama's Little Baby 2:20

16 Teen Queens - Eddie My Love 3:13

17 Elmore James - Blues Before Sunrise 2:44

18 B.B. King - 3 O'clock Blues 3:02

19 Madam Ira Mae Littlejohn - Go, Devil, Go 2:18

20 John Lee Hooker - I'm In The Mood 3:07

21 Pee Wee Crayton - Texas Hop 3:06

22 Ikettes - Peaches 'n' Cream 2:17

23 Etta James - Good Rockin' Daddy 2:25

24 Cliques - The Girl In My Dreams 3:00

25 Richard Berry - The Big Break 3:02

26 Jimmy Mccracklin - Gonna Tell Your Mother 2:36

27 Z Z Hill - I Need Someone (To Love Me) 3:05

28 Joe Houston - All Night Long 2:39

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